Jet Engine Vane Coupling Structure Using Segmented Metal Support

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft jet engines face challenges in reducing weight while maintaining structural strength, particularly with guide vanes that require both flow control and structural functions, as conventional materials like aluminum alloys do not effectively achieve both objectives.

Innovation Solution

A coupling part structure for vanes in jet engines, utilizing a composite material of thermosetting or thermoplastic resin with reinforcement fibers for the vane and a metal coupling support member with divided pieces and elongated protrusions and grooves, providing a mechanical coupling mechanism that enhances structural strength while reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If composite material is used for guide vanes to reduce weight, then weight of guide vanes is reduced, but structural strength is insufficient to perform coupling function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of guide vanesVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling support member is divided into first and second divided pieces that are joined to the end portion of the vane from both sides. This segmentation allows the metal coupling support member to provide structural strength while the composite material vane maintains its weight advantage, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material (thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin with reinforcement fiber) for the vane to reduce weight, while using metal material for the coupling support member to ensure structural strength. This composite material approach allows each component to be made from the most suitable material for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If metal material is used for guide vanes to ensure structural strength, then structural strength is sufficient, but weight reduction is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight of guide vanes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling support member is divided into first and second divided pieces that are joined to the end portion of the vane from both sides. This segmentation allows the metal coupling support member to provide structural strength while the composite material vane maintains its weight advantage, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material (thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin with reinforcement fiber) for the vane to reduce weight, while using metal material for the coupling support member to ensure structural strength. This composite material approach allows each component to be made from the most suitable material for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If coupling support member is made as single piece, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to vane end portion is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to vane end portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling support member is divided into first and second divided pieces that can be joined to the end portion of the vane from both sides. This segmentation improves adaptability to the vane end portion geometry and allows better distribution of coupling forces, while still maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second divided pieces are positioned at different locations (front and back sides) of the vane end portion, providing localized coupling support where needed. This allows the coupling structure to adapt to the specific geometry and stress distribution at the vane end portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2865879B1Vane linking portion structure, and jet engine using same

Publication Date: 2018.10.31 IHI CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A coupling support member 33 including a pair of divided pieces 34, 34 is placed in a coupling part between a vane proximal end portion 21 of a guide vane 20 and an attachment flange 31f, and the pair of divided pieces 34, 34 are joined to the vane proximal end portion 21 from both the sides in the vane thickness direction. A groove 35b is formed in one end portion joint surface 35a of the coupling support member 33, a linear protrusion 35c is formed on the other end portion joint surface 35a, the vane proximal end portion 21 is formed into a concavo-convex shape, a linear protrusion 21b that is engaged with the groove 35b which is formed in the end portion joint surface 35a is formed on a joint surface 21a to the one end portion joint surface 35a, a groove 21c that is engaged with the linear protrusion 35c formed on the end portion joint surface 35a is formed in the joint surface 21a to the other end portion joint surface 35a. The vane proximal end portion 21 is held between the pair of divided pieces 34, 34 of the coupling support member 33, by the fastening force that is applied to the coupling support member 33 from both the sides in the vane thickness direction. It is possible to obtain a high structural strength while contributing to a reduction in weight of a jet engine.